How Waterloo, NY, became the birthplace of Memorial Day

On March 7, 1966, New York Gov. Nelson Rockefeller proclaimed the Seneca County village of Waterloo as the "birthplace of Memorial Day."

The proclamation said that Waterloo was the place for the "first, formal, complete, well-planned, village-wide observance of a day entirely dedicated to honoring the war dead."

Rockefeller noted, "The people of Waterloo are justly proud of this outstanding event in the history of their community."

The first Memorial Day celebrated in Waterloo was on May 5, 1866, although the plans for it may have started in the summer of 1865, just months after the end of the Civil War.

Henry C. Welles, a local druggist, mentioned at a social function, that while it was good to honor the living heroes of the Civil War, it is also important to remember the dead of that war by decorating their graves.

Nothing resulted from his suggestion, until the following spring when he mentioned it again, this time, to Gen. John B. Murray.

Murray was the Seneca County Clerk, a Civil War hero and a "man of action." He quickly developed a plan, a committee was formed and plans were made to close all business on May 5, 1866, and devote the day to honoring the dead.

The citizens of the town embraced the idea. Women met and prepared wreaths, crosses and bouquets for each veteran's grave. The village was decorated with flags at half mast, evergreen boughs and black streamers.

Civic groups joined a procession to each of the village's three cemeteries, led by veterans marching to martial music. There were services at the cemeteries, including speeches by Gen. Murray and a local clergyman.

The day was observed in a "solemn, patriotic manner."

The ceremonies were repeated the following year, and then, moved to May 30, in 1868, in accordance with General Order No. 11 from General John Logan, of the Grand Army of the Republic.

It was the said the formal, dignified manner in which Waterloo observed the day created the pattern for future Memorial Day observances across the country.

On Memorial Day, 1965, Congressman Samuel Stratton made a speech at Maple Grove Cemetery in which he said he would for Congressional recognition of Waterloo's being the birthplace of the holiday.

Congress and the Senate did recognize Waterloo as the day's birthplace on May 17 and 19, 1966, followed by President Lyndon Johnson signing a Presidential Proclamation on May 26, 1966.

Thousands turned out for the village's first Memorial Day with the official designation in 1966.

Rep. Stratton presented Mayor Marion DiCicca with LBJ's proclamation, and the pen the President used to sign it.

Civil War reenactors marched, two living Spanish-American War veterans were honored, and soldiers serving in Vietnam, home for a break, were "well-applauded."

Relatives of the Welles and Murray families also rode in the parade.

According to the New York Times in 2012, roughly two dozen places claim to the source of Memorial Day. But, the Geneva Times wrote in 1966, "none can claim to have been so well planned or complete, nor can they claim that the ceremony has continued from year to year since the beginning" as Waterloo's.

This feature is a part of CNY Nostalgia, a section on syracuse.com. Send your ideas and curiosities to Johnathan Croyle: Email | 315-427-3958.